Clare County Council has launched the statutory public consultation for Phase 2 of the National Speed Limit Review, inviting the public to have their say on proposed changes to speed limits in urban areas and on selected regional roads across the county.
The proposed Draft Clare County Council Special Speed Limit Bye-Laws 2026 would introduce 30km/h speed limits in built-up and urban areas throughout County Clare, and reduce speed limits from 100km/h to 80km/h on sections of the R458 (Ennis to Crusheen Road at Ballyline), R352 (Ennis to Tulla Road at Caherlohan), R445 (Radisson Hotel to the Limerick Border) and the N68 (Ennis to Kilrush Road at Darragh).
The review forms part of a national road safety programme led by the Department of Transport. It follows the implementation of Phase 1 of the National Speed Limit Review in February 2025, which reduced the default speed limit on local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h.
Director of Services for Transport, Climate, Recreation, Environment, & Emergency with Clare County Council, Dr Carmel Kirby said, “The proposed changes are aimed at improving road safety, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users. Lower speeds are also expected to reduce the severity of collisions, encourage active travel and reduce traffic noise. According to the World Health Organisation, a 5% reduction in average speed can result in a 30% reduction in fatal collisions.”
The draft bye-laws are available for public inspection from July 29 to August 31, 2026, at Áras Contae an Chláir, all Clare County Council Municipal District and Area Offices, and online at www.clarecoco.ie.
Members of the public can make submissions through the Council’s consultation portal at yoursay.clarecoco.ie/speed-limit-review-2026, by email to roads@clarecoco.ie, or by post to the Roads and Transportation Department, Clare County Council. The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Following the consultation period, all submissions will be considered and a report prepared for Clare County Council’s elected members. The proposed bye-laws are expected to be considered for adoption by October 2026, with the new speed limits anticipated to come into effect by March 2027.
